Reading Eagle: Lea Skene | The home in the first block of Talbert Road, Upper Tulpehocken Township, where authorities say a 2-year-old girl died of a treatable form of pneumonia because her parents did not seek medical treatment for her based on their religious beliefs. Grace and Jonathan Foster have been charged with manslaughter.

Berks couple charged in daughter's death will give up custody of other six children

No sign of emotion crossed the faces of Jonathan D. and Grace A. Foster on Wednesday as they stood before Judge M. Theresa Johnson.

Dressed in black, the Upper Tulpehocken Township couple charged in the death of their 2-year-old daughter stood silently as their attorney said they had given up custody of their other six children.The Fosters appeared in court for two proceedings: a hearing on the custody of their other children, ages 7 months to 11 years, and a hearing about additional conditions on their bail.Jonathan, 34, and Grace, 32, face charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child after their daughter Ella Grace died of a treatable form of pneumonia in November.The couple did not seek any medical care for their ailing daughter because of their religious beliefs. The Fosters belong to Faith Tabernacle Church, a religious sect that does not believe in any type of medical treatment.The dependency hearing was not open to the public, but the Fosters' attorney, Bryan DePowell of the Harrisburg firm Crisp and Associates, said the Fosters voluntarily gave care of their children to Berks County Children & Youth Services.Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan H. Kurland withdrew his motion to add conditions to the couple's bail that would have ensured they were getting proper medical care for the other children.District Attorney John T. Adams was relieved to hear the Fosters' other children will now be safe.“This was our goal from the very beginning, that the remaining children would not potentially suffer the same outcome that Ella Foster suffered,” Adams said.Adams said the children will be kept together and placed in the care of a family that will make sure they receive proper medical treatment. Adams said the family would be taking immediate custody.DePowell did not return a call seeking comment.Last week, the couple represented themselves during a hearing. They chose not to testify in their own defense.Kurland said dozens of supporters of the Fosters packed the courtroom.Contact Stephanie Weaver: 610-371-5042 or sweaver@readingeagle.com.